Festival Theatre | St. Croix Falls, WI
  • Tickets
    • 2019 Theatre Series
    • 2019 Flex Pass
    • 2019 Concerts and Events
    • 2019 Youth and Family
    • Calendar
    • Sew Good Improv
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Mission & Staff
    • Past Seasons
    • Contact >
      • E-Newsletter
  • Get Involved
    • Auditions & Internships
    • Host Homes
    • Volunteering
    • Wish List
  • Visitor Info
    • Where to Find Us
    • Area Attractions >
      • Lodging
      • Dining
    • History of the St. Croix Valley
    • Groups
  • News
  • Donate
  • Education
    • Classes
    • Youth and Family Series
    • Resource Guides
    • Student Matinees
    • Art in Action!

Once Upon a River Guest Artist Announced

3/17/2015

0 Comments

 
PicturePrudence Johnson will be joining host Dan Chouinard for this year's "Once Upon a River"
For the seventh year in a row Festival Theatre presents “Once Upon a River,” a tribute to Earth Day and a celebration of the St. Croix River in song and story. Musician Dan Chouinard returns to host the event, set for Saturday, April 25th, beginning at 7:30 pm, with the Festival Singers and special guest artist Prudence Johnson.

Prudence Johnson is no stranger to the Festival’s stage where she has performed in the past.  Her long and happy career as a singer, writer, and teacher has landed her on the musical theatre stage, in two feature films, (A River Runs Through It, A Prairie Home Companion) national radio, (several long stints on A Prairie Home Companion) and on concert stages across North America and occasionally Europe (Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Gorky Park and an old mosque in Israel being the most exciting.) She has released more than a dozen recordings, including albums dedicated to the music of the Gershwins, Hoagy Carmichael, Greg Brown, and a collection of international lullabies. Prudence finds great pleasure in working with young people, serving as a music director at SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development since ’96 and teaching private lessons.

Pianist, accordionist and occasional storyteller Dan Chouinard is a Minnesota native who performs tours and records regularly with an ever-expanding roster of musicians and writers. He has hosted Festival’s annual Earth Day events since 2009, collaborating with musicians such as Ann Reed, Larry Long, Prudence Johnson, Warren Nelson and Peter Ostroushko.

Dan regularly creates special programs that blend storytelling, interview and music, many of these for Minnesota Public Radio. Two recent shows, “Cafe Europa” (2005, 2008) and “Mambo Italiano” (2006) have been aired on Twin Cities public television and broadcast statewide on MPR. He works occasionally on "A Prairie Home Companion" with Garrison Keillor, and served as rehearsal accompanist to Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin and Lindsay Lohan on the set of the Robert Altman-directed movie “A Prairie Home Companion.”

Returning to direct the Festival Singers chorus is Marty Harding . The choir will be performing a selection of songs following the river theme, and will round out this event with Dan Chouinard and Prudence Johnson.

Reservations for “Once Upon a River” are highly recommended. Tickets are $21 in advance, $26 at the door, and this concert is Flex Pass eligible.

0 Comments

Snow White in Rehearsal

3/12/2015

0 Comments

 
PictureBack row: Kimberly Braun, Morgan Johnson, Carl Hallberg, Jerry Eisen, James Mullin, Lila Dabill, Journie Rosenow Middle row: Nolan Roode, Brecken Styles, Elliana Naegelen, Addie Koenig Front row: Grace Miller, Leila Koehler, Shaw Styles, Laura Sechrist, Abby Ruona, Aydin Koenig Not in Picture Vanessa Wolff
Festival Theatre is thrilled to be engaging 17 talented youth artists in the rehearsals for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs opening March 20th as part of Festival’s 25th Anniversary Season’s Youth and Family Series.

Festival's Youth and Family Series gives local youth the opportunity to work with professional guest artists and directors.  Every youth that auditioned for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs have been given the opportunity to return for additional workshops to prepare them for future auditions.

Originating from German folk tales, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is one of the most retold fairy tales in the Western Canon and this hilarious rendition by Festival Theatre’s notoriously comedic Artistic Director Jaclyn Johnson will tickle your funny bone.

When the young and lovely princess, Snow White, becomes more beautiful than her vain and wicked stepmother, the young woman is sent to a certain death. Yet through kindness and her gentle spirit, Snow White flees multiple dangers and finds herself immersed in a thick forest. The Queen’s envious heart is not settled however, as her magical mirror reflects the truth of Snow White’s escape. 

The show includes all the favorite characters of the beloved folklore and the foils and fables of their pursuits, Festival’s production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is appropriate for all ages.  School and youth theatre goers will be inspired by the range of artistry their peers exude on the stage. 

The play features a flute, trumpet and accordion trio of musicians who also sing and narrate the story. “The youth actors are ridiculously gifted,” said Guest Artist Kimberly Braun. “Their voices, movements and dramatic choices are some of the funniest things I’ve seen or heard.”

Returning to the Festival stage are Abby Ruona, Brecken Styles, and Shaw Styles of St. Croix Falls, Elliana Naegelen of Dresser, Leila Koehler of Osceola, and Grace Miller of Lake Elmo.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs also features the Festival Theatre debut of Lila Dabill, Laura Sechrist and Carl Hallberg of Lindstrom, Addie Koenig, Aydin Koenig and Nolan Roode of Luck, Morgan Johnson of Osceola, Vanessa Wolff and Jerry Eisen of St. Croix Falls, Journie Rosenow of Dresser, and James Mullin of Balsam Lake. "Working with this cast is a treat," says Director Andrew Benson. "The enthusiasm they possess for learning about the art of theatre is infectious and makes rehearsals a joy."

An afterglow party will follow the performance on opening night, March 20th, with live music by the Luck Area String Ensemble directed by Josh Pedraja immediately following the show. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet all of artists during the afterglow and enjoy complimentary treats sponsored by gfGoodies.


Festival Theatre would like to thank Royal Credit Union as lead sponsor of the Youth and Family Series and Polk County Kinship Program for generously providing supporting sponsorship for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Be sure to see this magical show running March 20th through March 29th at St. Croix Festival Theatre.  Tickets are $13.50 for adults and $8.50 for youth and can be purchased at festivaltheatre.org, emailing festivaltheatreboxoffice@gmail.com or by calling the box office at715-483-3387.   Student matinees are available and start at 9:30 am on select weekdays, tickets can be reserved by calling the box office. Festival Theatre is located in downtown St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin at 210 North Washington Street



0 Comments

    Welcome!

    This is the place for news, comments, and entries from EVERYONE!  Feel free to post about the theatre, shows, events, or just your overall experience with Festival! 

    Archives

    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    RSS Feed

St. Croix Festival Theatre
​Franklin Square Black Box, 125 N. Washington Street, St. Croix Falls, WI, 54024                 
715.483.3387
 festivaltheatreboxoffice@gmail.com  


Order Tickets
Donate Now
Thanks to our 2018 Corporate Sponsors:
     The Law Firm of Williams and Davis 
     Amery Hospital and Clinic
     Royal Credit Union
     St. Croix Regional Medical Center 
​
     Luhrs/Bjornson Artworks